New Passport Requirements
NOTE: The U.S. travel industry strongly recommends that Western Hemisphere
travelers (both U.S. and international) get a passport in order to simplify the travel
process. Parents should also get a passport for their children regardless of age if
they will be accompanying adults on such trips.
As a result of recent action by the U.S. Congress, important deadlines for passport
requirements have changed. Below is a brief description of the deadlines and passport
requirements for all three modes of travel into the United States from the Western
Hemisphere — air, sea and land — and how this affects travelers.
AIR TRAVEL
A passport-only requirement will apply to all travelers — including returning U.S.
citizens — entering the U.S. by air from the Western Hemisphere on or shortly
after January 23, 2007. This new requirement includes Canadians and others who
have previously been exempt from having to carry a passport. Airlines have been
asking customers to present passports on these air travel routes and believe this new
requirement will have a minimal impact on air travel between the U.S. and other
Western Hemisphere countries.
SEA (CRUISE) TRAVEL
There is now no need to have a passport while taking a cruise. The new
requirement for a passport or other secure travel document will be enforced for
Western Hemisphere travel into the U.S. by cruise ship at some point prior to
June 1, 2009. No exact date is set, but the "sea" or cruise deadline will be
identical to the land border travel date for implementation. By law, cruise travelers
will also have the option of utilizing the PASS (People Access Security Service) card
under development by the U.S. State Department. This is a low-cost, credit card-sized
passport that is envisioned as a less expensive and more convenient alternative to the
traditional book-style passport.
LAND BORDER TRAVEL
Like the cruise deadline, the new land border travel deadline will be enforced at
some point prior to June 1, 2009, but no exact date is set. Travelers will have the
option of utilizing a traditional passport or the PASS card (see above) for entry into the
United States.
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